SPITSVILLE

Splitsville is the most intelligent and laugh out loud funny comedy of the year, delivering outrageous, shocking and hilarious moment after moment that with an incredible lead ensemble cast of Dakota Johnson, Adria Arjona, Kyle Marvin and Michael Angelo Covino, results in a comedic gem that cannot be missed.

We’ve had some great romantic comedies recently, but while the ideas at play within Splitsville may feel familiar to the romantic comedy genre, this film is anything but a romantic comedy… in the best way possible. If anything, it is an unromantic comedy full of screwball energy, outrageous and hilarious moments that will have movie theatres erupting into laughter, and an insightful analysis of relationships and individuals self worth. It’s largely thanks to the screenplay from Kyle Marvin and Michael Angelo Covino, who co-star as the film’s male leads, that when paired with Dakota Johnson and Adria Arjona as their characters’ wives, ensures that Splitsville quickly becomes the last must see movie event of the summer season.

Relationships are messy, but the mess that ensues in the latest from writers Marvin and Covino is unparalleled. While the story is all about love, Splitsville is the exact opposite of a romantic comedy despite utilizing similar ideas in their deconstruction of relationships and the lengths that individuals will go to cling to a relationship, no matter how unhealthy and self-destructive their actions might be. It is with central idea that Marvin and Covino, also starring in the leading male roles, explore the relationship between the film’s two married couples and create a sophisticated exploration of love that echoes some of the great indie romantic dramas of recent years in its thematic tones. Never lost for a second in their writing is the fact that both Carey and Paul are so self conscious that they end up self sabotaging their own relationships due their insecurities and fear of losing their wives, capturing the fragility of the male ego with an unflinching honesty. This begins a string of events that propels the conflict in each relationship that drives them apart, but also lays the ground for the catharsis within each character arc as each one of the main characters discovers what they truly value in a life partner.

But, the twist is their deep exploration of love is paired with a boundless and outlandish sense of comedy that ensures audiences will be erupting into laughter throughout the entire film. Starting with what is one of the most insane car rides ever caught on camera, and only getting wilder with each scene that follows, there are so many genius comedic moments that Marvin and Covino instill their film with. Not just acting as a great gag for comedic effect, the comedic moments supplement the exploration of love and trust at the centre of Martin and Covino’s screenplay, heightening the insecurities of the characters and making them more vulnerable, helping the audience to become emotionally invested in the film. Whether it be that bonkers fight scene at the end of the film’s first act, which is unequivocally the best fight scene of the year (sorry but not sorry to every superhero brawl to grace the big screen this year), the brotherhood of Ashley’s ex-lovers, or any gag featuring a goldfish, you won’t believe the madness that unfolds on screen in front of your eyes as you die of laughter from start to finish. The result is one of the most sophisticated comedies in recent years that both conjures up outrageous comedic moments and a heartfelt exploration of love, trust and relationships that makes for the perfect date night movie.

As good as the concept and screenplay for the film is, Splitsville is nothing without its lead cast. Martin and Covino are great as Carey and Paul respectively, effortlessly capturing the manic energy of these two men who allow their lives to spiral out of control as they struggle to maintain their relationships with their wives. Johnson is sublime as Julie, grounding the film emotionally as she navigates the open relationship her husband wants for them, despite her true love for him. With this role, there is a warmth and compassion that Johnson naturally brings to the film, with an emotional intelligence which is so important given the wild events that unfold, while using her sarcasm and comedic chops to hold her ground within the lead ensemble. As she did in 2023’s Hit Man, Arjona is bursting with a fiery passion and killer comedic timing as Ashley, liberated from the confines of her marriage and enjoying her new freedom. As an ensemble, Martin, Covino, Johnson and Arjona are outstanding, capturing the screwball energy of the screenplay and having a terrific chemistry with the intersecting relationship. And it’s not lost for a second that Martin and Covino have casted two of the most in demand and attractive actresses as their characters’ wives, which plays well into their characters’ individual arcs. While the film is largely resting on the shoulders of the leads, the supporting cast of Nicholas Braun, O-T Fagbenle, Charlie Gillespie and David Castañeda all do their part and up the chaos and comedy to deliver some unforgettable laughs.

If all comedies were this funny and insightfully written to explore characters and relationships in a meaningful way, their value would be eroded. But given that within the studio genre we don’t often get comedies this smart, emotionally intelligent and absolutely insane, Splitsville stands out amongst the other comedies released this year and delivers one incredibly fun time at the cinemas. Brought to life by the energetic and stellar performances of Dakota Johnson, Adria Arjona, Kyle Marvin and Michael Angelo Covino, Splitsville never presses pause on the laughter and bonkers moments that ensures that the odds are in its favour as being the best comedy of the year!